Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
19:53
Single-stage Dynamic Reanimation of the Smile in Irreversible Facial Paralysis by Free Functional Muscle Transfer
Published on: March 1, 2015
104.7K
A misleading trismus
A Galzerano1, E Sabatini1, A De Monte2
1Unità Area Critica di Terapia Intensiva (A.C.U.T.I.), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria S. Maria della Misericordia di Perugia, S. Andrea delle Fratte, 06156 Perugia, Italy.
Case Reports in Critical Care
|May 15, 2014
Summary
A delayed diagnosis of tetanus in an elderly woman led to treatment with unsafe medications. Prompt identification of tetanus is crucial for appropriate and safe patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Reports
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that affects the nervous system.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are critical for patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A 73-year-old woman presented to the ICU with symptoms suggestive of tetanus, including mild trismus.
- The initial diagnosis was tetanus, leading to treatment initiation.
Findings:
- The patient received potentially unsafe medications due to the initial diagnosis.
- A correct diagnosis was eventually established, implying a potential misdiagnosis or delayed confirmation.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of accurate and timely diagnosis in elderly patients with neurological symptoms.
- It underscores the risks associated with empirical treatment and the need for careful drug selection in vulnerable populations.
- Emphasizes the need for heightened clinical suspicion for tetanus in atypical presentations.
